Plate compactor handle

Abstract

A handle for a construction tool includes a lower handle portion configured to be coupled to the construction tool, an upper handle portion configured to be grasped by a user, a support pin disposed between the upper handle portion to the lower handle portion, and a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the upper handle portion relative to the lower handle portion. The upper handle portion pivotable relative to the lower handle portion about the support pin. The locking mechanism includes a locking pin movable between a lock position, in which the upper handle portion is not pivotable relative to the lower handle portion, and an unlock position, in which the upper handle portion is pivotable relative to the lower handle portion, and a release handle configured to selectively move the locking pin between the lock position and the unlock position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handle for a construction tool, the handle comprising:
 an upper handle portion configured to be grasped by a user;   a lower handle portion configured to be coupled to the construction tool; and   a pivot joint including
 a locking pawl about which the upper handle portion pivots relative to the lower handle portion, the locking pawl configured to selectively prevent the upper handle portion from pivoting relative to the lower handle portion, and 
 a crossbar configured to displace the locking pawl such that, when the locking pawl is displaced, the upper handle portion is pivotable relative to the lower handle portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The handle of  claim 1 , further comprising a bushing disposed on the lower handle portion, the bushing configured to couple the handle to the construction tool, wherein the bushing is formed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The handle of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring disposed within the upper handle portion, the spring configured to bias the locking pawl toward a locked position in which the upper handle portion is prevented from being pivoted relative to the lower handle portion. 
     
     
         4 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein, when the locking pawl is in the locked position, a notch on the locking pawl engages a stop on the upper handle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The handle of  claim 4 , wherein, when the locking pawl in in an unlocked position, the pawl is disposed within the upper handle portion and pivotable relative to the lower handle portion with the upper handle portion. 
     
     
         6 . A handle for a construction tool, the handle comprising:
 a lower handle portion configured to be coupled to the construction tool;   an upper handle portion configured to be grasped by a user;   a support pin disposed between the upper handle portion to the lower handle portion and configured to couple the upper handle portion to the lower handle portion, the upper handle portion pivotable relative to the lower handle portion about the support pin; and   a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the upper handle portion relative to the lower handle portion, the locking mechanism including
 a locking pin movable between a lock position, in which the upper handle portion is not pivotable relative to the lower handle portion, and an unlock position, in which the upper handle portion is pivotable relative to the lower handle portion, and 
 a release handle configured to selectively move the locking pin between the lock position and the unlock position. 
   
     
     
         7 . The handle of  claim 6 , further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the release handle and the locking pin toward the lock position. 
     
     
         8 . The handle of  claim 7 , wherein the biasing member is a leaf spring, and wherein the leaf spring is disposed between the upper handle portion and the release handle. 
     
     
         9 . The handle of  claim 6 , wherein the release handle includes a user graspable portion and a locking pin support portion, the user graspable portion angled relative to the locking pin support portion, wherein a fulcrum is defined at a point of intersection between the user graspable portion and the locking pin support portion, and wherein the release handle pivots about the fulcrum to move the locking pin between the lock position and the unlock position. 
     
     
         10 . The handle of  claim 6 , further comprising a bushing disposed on the lower handle portion, the bushing configured to couple the handle to the construction tool, wherein the bushing is formed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         11 . The handle of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism is fixed to the upper handle portion and, when the locking pin is in the unlock position, the locking mechanism is pivotable relative to the lower handle portion with the upper handle portion. 
     
     
         12 . The handle of  claim 11 , wherein, when the locking pin is in the lock position, the locking pin engages the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion. 
     
     
         13 . The handle of  claim 6 , wherein the locking pin is a first locking pin and the release handle is a first release handle, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a second locking pin and a second release handle, and wherein the second locking pin and the second release handle are disposed on an opposite side of the upper handle portion as the first locking pin and the first release handle. 
     
     
         14 . The handle of  claim 13 , wherein the first locking pin and the second locking pin move toward one another when moving from the lock position toward the unlock position. 
     
     
         15 . A handle for a construction tool, the handle comprising:
 a lower handle portion configured to be coupled to the construction tool;   an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, the upper handle portion configured to selectively rotate relative to the lower handle portion between a collapsed position and a deployed position;   a support pin disposed between the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion, the upper handle portion rotatable relative to the lower handle portion about the support pin; and   a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the upper handle portion relative to the lower handle portion, the locking mechanism including
 an inner locking pin movable between a lock position, in which the upper handle portion is not rotatable relative to the lower handle portion, and an unlock position, in which the upper handle portion is rotatable relative to the lower handle portion, 
 an outer locking pin guide disposed about the inner locking pin, the outer locking pin guide configured to guide movement of the inner locking pin between the lock position and the unlock position, and 
 a release handle configured to selectively move the inner locking pin between the lock position and the unlock position. 
   
     
     
         16 . The handle of  claim 15 , further comprising a compression spring configured to bias the inner locking pin towards the lock position. 
     
     
         17 . The handle of  claim 15 , wherein the outer locking pin guide is fixed relative to the upper handle portion. 
     
     
         18 . The handle of  claim 15 , wherein the release handle and the inner locking pin are movable relative to the outer locking pin guide. 
     
     
         19 . The handle of  claim 15 , wherein the inner locking pin is movable along a direction parallel to an axis about which the upper handle portion is rotatable relative to the lower handle portion. 
     
     
         20 . The handle of  claim 15 , further comprising a bushing disposed on the lower handle portion, the bushing configured to couple the handle to the construction tool, wherein the bushing is formed of an elastomeric material.